From May 30 and every day until September 5… the start of the 2013 NFL season… Sports Stats ‘on Tapp’ will publish “99 Stats Until Kickoff” a daily dose of NFL stats that will get you ready for the 2013 NFL season.)

With three Super Bowl titles and five appearances in that game since 2001 and a league-leading record of 151-57 since 2000, it pretty obvious that the New England Patriots have been the NFL’s best franchise this century.

So what has been the reason for their success? Bill Belichick taking over as head coach in 2000? Tom Brady becoming the team’s starting quarterback in the 2001 season?